Some experts of the Chinese language claim that the Chinese symbol for the word 'crisis' is a composition of the two Chinese words 'danger' and 'opportunity'. The first two of these words, ‘crisis’ and ‘danger,’ are increasingly prevalent in many discussions and articles, in particular on the European Union. In this issue of the ECHAMP E-News we prefer to focus on the third word, 'opportunity'.

Indeed, in addition to the hopeful vision of the patients of homeopathy, and the successful battle of one Swedish homeopathic doctor, this issue of the E-News reflects the confidence that there are now major opportunities to give reliable complementary healthcare the place it deserves in a modern society. I very much hope that the decision makers will show increasing interest for the added value complementary medicine can bring in terms of effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and better health for European citizens. Enjoy this issue!

Nand De Herdt
President of ECHAMP

Pharma package: an update
Significant progress has been made in recent months on the Pharma package, with new legislation published for the first two of the three proposals. The provisions for pharmacovigilance will introduce possibly one of the biggest changes in the legal framework for human medicinal products of the last twenty years. ECHAMP President Nand De Herdt provides a round-up of developments in the field of EU pharmaceuticals and their implications for homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products. Read more...

European Commission programmes – the added value of complementary healthcare
A number of EU public health initiatives may offer scope to raise the profile of homeopathy and complementary medicine at EU level. Christine Marking, ECHAMP public affairs consultant, reports on the progress of a number of Commission programmes: ‘Health for Growth’, a new EU health programme (2014-2020), Horizon 2020, the future EU funding programme for research and innovation, and the Active and Healthy Ageing Partnership, stressing the need for the CAM community to make its voice heard. Read more...

New report in English supports effectiveness of homeopathy
A comprehensive report into the effectiveness, use, safety and cost effectiveness of homeopathy is now available in English.  ‘Homeopathy in Healthcare’ presents the results of the first multi-disciplinary review (Health Technology Assessment) into homeopathy; it concludes that ‘there is sufficient evidence for the … clinical efficacy of homeopathy and for its safety and economy compared to conventional treatment. Read more...

A triumph for homeopathy in Sweden
Unlike all other EU Member States, except Slovenia, doctors in Sweden have till now been denied the right to prescribe homeopathic medicines. However, a recent court decision, ruling the appeal by one doctor, may change this situation. Dr Anders Petterson describes his personal struggle over the past few years to give doctors the freedom to prescribe homeopathic remedies. Read more…

An interview with Enid Segall
Enid Segall, President of the European Federation of Homeopathic Patients’ Associations and Chairman of the Friends of the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine talks to E-news editor Karen Chapman about the importance of patient pressure to highlight the benefits that European citizens derive from using homeopathy and the need to integrate homeopathy and CAM in EU health policy. Read more...